Names of Allah and Their Importance

There are ninety nine names of Allah we know. These are not just His names but there are His attributes. The most favorite name that Allah swt has liked for Him is “Allah”. This name is unique in the sense that it has no plural, it cannot be changed as there is nothing that can change it. It cannot be shortened and it cannot be twisted. This names signifies the majesty and rule of Allah swt over all things.

Allah swt has spoken about His attributes ( names) in Quran in various places. In the following verse, Allah swt say;

[007:180] Allah’s are the most beautiful names (and attributes). Invoke Him by those names, and part company with those who deny (or mock) His names (and attributes). They will soon be punished for what they are doing.

The verse says that Allah swt has the most beautiful names. That is, the attributes of Allah swt are the best and most perfect and beautiful in meaning. He swt further says that we should invoke Him with his beautiful names. Here, one thing should be remembered, there are some people who has invented some ways. They say that if you recite a name of Allah certain times, your wish will be granted etc. this is not how it is. We are not in Quran or sunnah about this. Allah swt has not told us His names for this. Instead, His attributes are a whole new world for us if we want to see. Just by going through them, we can know that what a beloved and gracious is our Lord. How beautiful and loving He is. How much He loves us and how much He cares for us even when we are just a creature. Thus, when in need, on may recite His names and invoke Him with them, but one should not make it a play.

In another verse, Allah swt say;

[017:110] Say, “Call Him Allah, or call him Rehman. Whichever name you call Him by, (remember) His attributes are the most beautiful. During your ‘salat’, do not raise your voice too loud, nor lower it to a virtual whisper. Rather, adopt a moderate tone.”

Therefore, all the greatness and goodness in the world is Allah's. Everything belong to Him. All the good comes from Him. Because He alone is the source of all the good. So, we should remember this simple fact. In another place, Allah swt say;

[020:008] He is Allah! There is no god but He; His are all the beautiful names.

Thus, the only true God who is worthy of all the worship is Allah swt. There are religions where there are different gods capable of doing one thing or another. But Allah is the true God, who does all the Lordly things. Think of any Godly, quality, and it is Allah swt. Of course, nothing evil and bad can come from Him. Whatever He decided has only the factor of good for us. Some times our faith dwindle in the times of trials, but that too has something good for us. It is not just to make us prove our loyalty to Allah swt, but it is also a time, when we can know if we are worthy enough? If we can keep ourselves whole and trust our own selves? Thus, Allah is the source of love and goodness.

Every attribute of Allah swt has a very deep meaning to it. For example, in the following hadith, it Is mentioned;

Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 17:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "The word 'Ar-Rahm (womb) derives its name from Ar-Rahman (i.e., one of the names of Allah) and Allah said: 'I will keep good relation with the one who will keep good relation with you, (womb i.e. Kith and Kin) and sever the relation with him who will sever the relation with you, (womb, i.e. Kith and Kin).

To memorise the names of Allah brings us great reward as mentioned in the following sahih hadith;

Muslim, Book 035, Number 6475:

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There are ninety-nine names of Allah; he who commits them to memory would get into Paradise. Verily, Allah is Odd (He is one, and it is an odd number) and He loves odd number. And in the narration of Ibn 'Umar (the words are):" He who enumerated them."

May Allah swt help us memories His great names and makes us understand them. Ameen.